But since his last recruiting cycle in Amherst before leaving to start a career in the NFL with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2004, Whipple's appreciation for the process and strategy of landing prospects has evolved.

With two sons – Spencer, 24, and Austin, 20 – who have given Whipple a taste of the world of recruiting from the other side, it would be hard not to see things a little differently.

"There's no question," Whipple said. "My one son (Spencer, whom Whipple brought in as a member of his new staff) had five different head coaches in college. And the other one's going through a change with Bill O'Brien leaving (Penn State) and James Franklin coming in."

The nature of the job requires that Whipple do his best to keep his personal experiences separate from the work of recruiting. His goal is to restock UMass with the best players possible. But he also knows what's going through the minds of the parents and grandparents he meets out on the trail.

"I've told the players and the parents the same thing – my door's open and I understand what you're going through," he said. "We've got good people in this building. People who are here to help kids and try to help them achieve any goal that they want academically and football-wise."

In general, Whipple said, he's grown as a coach and a person, something he thinks will benefit the program.

"You get a little wiser, and I'm a little more patient," he said. "Our kids here have done a good job, but I had to be a stern father the other night. And I think that'll pay off for our players here."

Whipple's recruiting pitch has changed since leaving UMass, too. With seven years of NFL experience – three with the Steelers from 2004-06, two apiece with the Eagles in 2007-08 and Browns in 2011-12 – his clout in the coaching community has grown considerably.

When it comes to enticing high school and junior college players with eyes on professional careers, it's a nice trump card to have.

"I think it's a help. I don't think there's a question that saying that I know what they're looking for and that I have contacts (helps)," he said. "We've sold the fact that we're going to run an NFL system. Coach (Tom) Masella spent a lot of time (looking at tape) when I was at Pittsburgh, and we'll run what the Steelers run – a 3-4 defense. And Coach (Ted) Daisher has six years in the NFL as a special teams coordinator."

It's a strategy, Whipple said, he used with success while offensive coordinator at the University of Miami (Fla.) in 2009 and 2010.

"I know what kind of effect it had when I went to Miami (and showed) the Eagles tape with Donovan (McNabb) and DeSean (Jackson)," he said. "That's an important factor.

"If (playing in the NFL) is one of their goals – and we certainly hope it is – then we'll try to help them achieve it."